Ravensbourne launch the first partnership materials library in the UK

Ravensbourne has officially launched the first partnership materials library in the country. The institution is the first in the UK to partner with Material ConneXion, a global materials consultancy with some of the world's most advanced, innovative and sustainable materials and processes.

The library will hold 500 selected materials and is designed to encourage students to research material selection when creating and developing products. The library of materials and technologies will help students studying product design, fashion and architecture to understand the use of materials in the design and manufacturing process.

Sarah Maule, Head of Learning Resources at Ravensbourne said: "We're thrilled to be working with Material ConneXion to become the first UK library to partner with them, further proving Ravensbourne's investment in the creative leaders of the future. Putting innovative and new materials into students’ hands and seeing them incorporated into their work is extremely exciting. I look forward to the future creations of our students influenced by the collection.”

Ravensbourne and Material ConneXion have signed a three year contract which will see the library grow to include 1,500 materials. Ravensbourne will be providing students with the learning tools to touch, feel, compare and contrast materials, allowing them to make informed choices when developing their ideas as well as the opportunity to work with up-to-date materials, selected by a monthly jury at Material ConneXion. This collection will improve the knowledge of our graduates and assist them to become the future innovators of the design world.

Michele Caniato, President of Material ConneXion said: “We are thrilled to be opening a Material ConneXion satellite location in such a prestigious university as Ravensbourne, and to expand our presence in Europe and, specifically, the United Kingdom. London has always been on the wish list for us since we started Material ConneXion. Working with universities to provide materials education and inspiration to the next generation of designers is something that Material ConneXion feels very passionate about, and we are honored to be able to bring our one of a kind materials library and database to Ravensbourne’s campus.”